I'm Not An Angel

04

"Angel, wake up we're almost there." I open my eyes, immediately regretting it. They are filled with a blinding light, making me close them again. I sit up, rubbing them gently. When I open them again it's better. I look over acrossed the car to Owen who's staring at Lucas with disgust in his eyes. I roll my eyes and look over to James who's putting papers together. I smile before looking at Lucas, he smiles back and continues to rub my leg.

"When I say okay you can pull your sleeve up or take off your sweatshirt. We are too close for any attacks or trials of kidnapping." James says. Very reasuring James, very reasuring. I look down at the hand on my leg. I place my hand on his and lace our fingers together. He squeezes my hand knowing I'm not comfortable to look at him right now. I look up at Owen and he looks like he's about to burst at the seams.

I quickly unlace my fingers and bring my hand towards me, and look down at my feet. Making Owen unhappy makes me uncomfortable and I hate being uncomfortable. I can feel both of their eyes peering at me. Their gaze burning into me. Owen's eyes happy and proud. Lucas' sad and concerned, worried he did something bad. I wish he knew he didn't. He was perfect, I'm fucked up. I'm the fucked up one. I don't even know why I trust this guy, or maybe even like this guy. He saves my ass once, I met him today and I trust him. I don't understand.

"You're not fucked up Angel." I look up at him confused on how he figured that out. He just taps his brain and I remember. He can read minds. I don't know if I like that or not yet. "And I'm not mad at you." He gives me a soft smile and I look back down at my feet. I can imagine him smiling and looking back out the window. I grin down at my feet, playing with the rings on my fingers.

"You can pull up your sleeve now." James states, so we all do. All of our sleeves are pulled up. And we drive through the barrier. I look out the window and my jaw drops. The campus is huge! Of course he said it was gonna be big, but it's like disney world size! They find our reactions humorous, because Lucas is just laughing. I really don't care, cause it's amazing. I look back over to Owen who has the exact same look on his face. My eyes follow the windows to meet Lucas'. He has a fond smile on his face and his eyes show admiration. Who is he admiring?

"You're very good at reading body language Aven. Especially eyes. And you Angel."

"I'm not an Angel."

"Whatever makes you sleep at night." I roll my eyes and start holding my hand the way he did trying to get some of the same comfort. It doesn't work. I don't get the same comfort. I look back up at Owen to get some comfort, but he looks like he's about to kill both of us, Lucas especially.

"Owen calm down."

"Like you have anywhere to talk about calm." I sink back down, eyes travelling to my feet. He's never rude like that. Why is he so mad? Lucas grabs my hand, lacing our fingers once again. He starts rubbing his thumb back and forth. I relax almost immediately. He looks down and gives me a comforting smile.

"Can you guys just get a room?" Owen yells. He sounds disgusted. I try to release my grip on his hand but he doesn't let me. I look up at him and his eyes have a hint of anger in them.

"Don't let him control you." He says sharply.

"He's my brother."

"And you are your own person. He doesn't need to control you. He should control his life, you should control yours. Not him controlling both. I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I'm not letting go of your hand because it fits nicely with mine." He keeps rubbing my hand as I look up at Owen. He has anger and disgust in his eyes. He hates me, he's disgusted with me. What's wrong with him right now? He rolls his eyes and sighs in disgust as he looks back out the window.